The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented sweeping new policies that mandate an immediate and indefinite suspension of various immigration benefit applications. These directives include an adjudicative pause on all asylum cases and a halt/re-review of applications for individuals from specific countries.
This new guidance will cause significant processing delays not only for these specific categories but for all applications submitted to USCIS.
Who is Affected by the USCIS Processing Freeze?
The new policy affects three primary groups of applicants.
1. Individuals from 19 “High-Risk” Countries (Proclamation 10949)
USCIS has placed a complete processing hold and mandated a comprehensive re-review and potential re-processing of previosuly approved applications for all benefit requests filed by individuals who were born in or are citizens of the 19 countries identified as “high-risk” in the June 4 Presidential Proclamation (travel ban).
- Affected Countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
- Applications Under Indefinite Hold: Processing is paused for all pending USCIS benefit applications, including, but not limited to:
- Green Card Applications (EB-1 Extraordinary Ability / Outstanding Researcher, EB-1C Green Card, EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver, EB-2 (PERM), EB-3, EB-5, green card through investment, employment-based green card, family-based green card and marriage-based green card)
- Adjustment of Status (I-485)
- Nonimmigrant Visa Applications (E-2, E-2 Employee Visa, E-2 for Australians, E-2 for Canadians, E-2 for UK Citizens, L-1, L-1 for Canadians, L-1 New Office, E-1, H-1B, H-2B, E-3, TN, K-1, O-1, I-539)
- Applications for U.S. Citizenship/Naturalization (N-400)
- Potential Re-Review & Interviews: USCIS will re-examine all previously approved benefit requests for individuals from these countries. USCIS may call applicants in for a re-interview.
- Negative Factor: An individual’s origin from one of these countries may be considered a significant negative discretionary factor in the adjudication of certain applications ( for example, extension/change of status, green cards, others).
2. Asylum Seekers (Form I-589 Applicants)
USCIS has issued a blanket pause on the adjudication of all I-589 asylum and withholding of removal applications, regardless of the individual’s nationality or country of birth.
3. Refugees and Derivatives (Adjustment of Status)
USCIS has paused the processing of all pending green card applications (I-485) for refugees admitted to the U.S. between January 21, 2021, and February 20, 2025.
What is the Duration of the Processing Pause?
USCIS has not officially announced an end date as of December 9, 2025. The pause is indefinite.
Consult an Immigration Attorney Immediately
If you believe your application or approved status falls under these new USCIS policies, it is important to contact an experienced immigration attorney immediately to discuss the potential impacts on your case, employment, or travel.
We provide clear, personalized guidance for your immigration case.
We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Contact us or schedule a consultation.
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